Former Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has expressed concerns about the relationship between the country’s growing population and the lean revenue accruing to the nation.
Speaking at a symposium to mark the 50th Birthday of Lagos APC Chieftain, Abdullahi Enilolobo, Aregbesola said: “We don’t remember that we are poor here in Nigeria.If we have a deep thought, we ought to have a day of weeping every month.
“If we don’t work harder to improve our fortunes, we would continue to be poor. In 2017, Brazil had a population of approximately 200 million people almost about what Nigeria had. That year, Brazil had a revenue of about $600 billion and a budget of $700 billion. Nigeria in that same year made $13 billion and a budget of $23 billion. Are the two countries equal?
“Today, OPEC allowed Nigeria to extract and sell 2million barrel of crude oil per day but we don’t get that quantity. Even if we get 2million barrel per day and if the price rises to $100 per barrel, it means our income will be $200 million.
” If you divide this by 200 million people, it amounts to $1 per every Nigerian. We have to check our population by practicing birth control. If we don’t address this, we would have huge problems to deal with. We would also need every able bodied person to work.”
Aregbesola and the lawmaker representing Lagos West Senatorial District in the Senate, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, eulogized the virtues of the Celebrator.
The duo described Enilolobo as a humble, dedicated and honest family and party man.
Senator Yayi said: ” Hon Enilolobo means everything to me. He is a political juggernaut in the setting of Lagos, he is a seasoned administrator who is blessed with a loving mother.
“He has contributed immensely to the success of the party especially in Alimosho. If he wanted any political office, he would get it but he prefers to remain a party man. He has touched many lives and would satisfy others before himself. He has always been there for everyone of us.”
